“We’ve just got to get across, that’s all!” declared the energetic Giraffe. “If there isn’t any ford we’ll have to duck and run along the water’s edge to look for some sort of a boat, because swimming would be a tough job for Bumpus, anyhow.”
“And no matter what we decide to do,” added Allan just then, “we’d better be getting a move on in a hurry, because I can see mounted men coming away back there where the road rises a bit, and I guess they’re some of those hard-riding German cavalrymen they call Uhlans.”
All of them jumped to the ground. Even the driver knew that he could not hope to save his caisson with its contents, and, like the discreet soldier that he was, he immediately commenced to throw the ammunition into the stream. If France might not have the benefit of those shells, he meant to keep her enemies from profiting through his misfortune, even though he lingered so long that he put his own life in peril.
Thad had turned an envious eye upon the stream. He saw instantly that it was of considerable dimensions, far too wide to be crossed without a boat of some sort. It had the looks of a deep river in the bargain, which fact would prevent such a thing as their wading to the opposite bank.
On both sides bushes grew, together with scrubby willows. At a pinch, possibly, the boys might manage to find some sort of shelter amidst these; but if anything of a hunt was inaugurated by the German cavalrymen they must be routed out in short order. And perhaps the very fact of their being in the company of the obliging French caisson driver might cause the Uhlans to consider them foes.
Thad did not like to think of what might follow. Sometimes rough-riding Uhlans act first and investigate afterward. Plainly, then, it was much to their advantage to get across that stream one way or another, if it could be managed.
“Look for a boat, fellows!” was what he snapped out with his characteristic energy; “above, below, no matter where you can find one. It’s our best move, for we ought to get across here, you know!”
His words gave the others the clue. They commenced using their eyes, following the short up and down, and carefully scrutinizing every yard of the bank. Never before in all their existence had a boat seemed such a desirable commodity as just then; new or old, big or small, round-bottom or flat, little they cared if only it would accommodate four boys and hold water long enough for them to urge it to the opposite bank before the dreaded Uhlans arrived.
Of course Giraffe had the advantage of his three chums in such a rivalry. That eagle eye of his was without its peer among the members of the Silver Fox Patrol, and it did not fail its owner now.
“Thad, I see one!” he whooped joyously. “Come on, everybody, follow me. It’s close by, in the bargain. I only hope and pray it isn’t a knocked-out affair with a big hole punched in the bottom, that’s what.”